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Iannetta's grand slam not enough as Sox fall to Isotopes

The Sky Sox dropped a tight one Tuesday night at Security Service Field, falling just short of the Albuquerque Isotopes, 6-5.

Jumping out in front with a quick barrage, the Isotopes plated three in the top of the third with just one out on the board. First baseman John Lindsey drove the first run across home plate with a ground-rule double to right, while right fielder Prentice Redman brought the next two home with a single to left in the next at-bat.

The Sky Sox challenged the visitors in the bottom half, however, as a walk and two singles set up a monster Chris Iannetta grand slam. His second grand slam in just ten games this season, the blast cleared the 35-foot, Green Monster-sized batter's eye in center field - a monument standing 410 feet from home plate.

Albuquerque squared the game at four in the top of the third, as Redman singled in Lindsey from third base. A Chris Nelson two-out error the next inning allowed Chin-lung Hu to score, putting the Isotopes up for good, 5-4.

Applying constant pressure throughout the night, the ‘Topes threatened again in the seventh.

With two outs, Albuquerque drew a walk, a line drive base hit to left, and a soft infield chopper to third - loading the bases. Though it appeared the Sky Sox would escape the jam unscathed when reliever Damian Moss ran up an 0-2 count on pinch-hitter Ramon Nivar, Moss uncorked a wild pitch over the head of Iannetta, allowing Lucas May to scamper home from third, 6-4. Nivar struck out on the next pitch.

The Sky Sox plating their fifth run in the eighth to draw within one run, the team mounted a frantic rally in the bottom half of the inning. Loading the bases on two singles and a walk, Cole Garner was unable to drive in the game-tier with two outs, grounding out to second to end the game under the accumulating rain.

With the loss, the Sky Sox fall to 17-15 while the ‘Topes improve to 17-14. Sox starter Josh Muecke (0-2, 8.53) takes the loss while Josh Lindblom (2-1, 5.50) records the win. The two teams will face off again Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 PM.